Pitcher and seal therefor



1 E. S. TUPPE R v I Aug. 30, 1960 PITCHER' AND SEAL- THEREFOR Filed nc, 18, 19 56 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United rates rrrcrmn AND SEAL Tmnnron Earl S. Tupper, Esmond, RL, assignor to Tupper Corporation, North Smithfield, RJL, a corporation of Dela- Ware Filed Dec. 18, 1956, Ser. No. 629,155

Claims. (Cl. 222-465) This invention relates generally to a combined pitcher and cover, but more specifically to a pitcher having an open end edge having a spout formation, said edge or rim area being in scalable and removable engagement with a cover member.

A main feature of the invention resides in the provision of a combination pitcher and cover having complementary removable and pivotal means secured to and between the handle and the cover side wall for guiding registration of the cover with the pitcher when the cover is applied thereto, and for lifting the cover from the pitcher for removal when in sealable and engaging relationship.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of a removable cover for a pitcher having an offset spout portion, the upper edge of the open end of the pitcher and spout edge being in the same plane and continuous whereby a cover member having an engaging wall of similar shape as said edge is sealably engageable therewith.

Another feature of the invention resides in the provision of a cover member for a pitcher having a spout, said cover member having means for hermetically sealing the pitcher not only along the rim thereof but also along the edge of the spout. Such a cover may further be provided with an independent spout member having a removable closure for pouring contents from the pitcher while the cover is in scalable engagement therewith.

A further feature of the invention resides in the provision of etfectuating a live seal between a cover and a pitcher provided with a spout for hermetically sealing the contents of the pitcher.

Further features of the invention include adaptability of both the pitcher and the cover member for local distortability in shape when both are formed of deformable plastic for accommodation in storage space or for transportation hazards.

' Another feature of the invention resides in the ability of the combined pitcher and cover to serve as a sealed receptacle for merchandise and thereafter as a durable pitcher and cover when the contents are removed.

Further features of the invention include efiiciency in operation, economy in production by normal molding techniques, durability, and sanitary in use.

7 These objectsand other incidental ends and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear in the progress of the disclosure and as pointed out in the appended claims.

Accompanying this specification are drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein: V

Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing the combined cover and pitcher and including the guiding means for registration effecting engagement of the said members; also the means for removing the cover from the pitcher;

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the cover member per se;

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of a captive closure for a cover spout member;

Patented Aug. 30, 1950 the;

Figure 4 is an exploded view in perspective showing a preferred means between the cover and the pitcher for guiding registration effecting engagement therebetween and also for removal of the cover from the pitcher when in engagement;

Figure 5 is a view in perspective showing the procedure in aligning the cover member over the pitcher for scalable engagement therebetween.

In accordance with the invention and in accordance with the preferred forms shown, numeral 10 indicates generally the continuous and optionally sloped side wall of an open top pitcher having a closed bottom and provided with a handle 11. The shape of the pitcher as shown is of an inverted frustum of a cone. Diametrically opposite handle 11 is an upwardly and outwardly flared spout formation 12 formed by a side wall offset, the upper edge 13 of the side wall and the upper edge of the ofiset being continuous and in the same plane. The offset upper edge generally indicated by numeral 13a is formed of opposing edges 13b and 13a meeting at a rounded terminal 13d. As shown the upper continuous edge lit-13a is in the form of a head. it may also assume the form of a flared rim area.

A cover member generally indicated by numeral 14 is provided to hermetically seal the pitcher at the edge or rim portion 13-13:; thereof and includes a main wall 15 having a shape similar to edge l3-13a of the pitcher, said wall being provided with an engaging peripheral side wall or skirt. As shown such engaging side wall or skirt is in the form of an inverted and upwardly extending groove having an inner wall 16, a top wall 17, a spaced outer wall 13 and a flange 19 extending horizontally from the lower edge of outer wall 13. The engaging groove is adapted to seal not only the open mouth of the pitcher but also the mouth of spout 12. The engaging groove for the spout edge 13a also is of ofiset configuration as indicated by inner wall 16a, a top wall 17a, an outer wall 18a and a flange 19a extending horizontally from the lower edge of said outer wall 18a.

Since the open mouth of pitcher side wall it? is. not of regular shape the cover 14 must be applied for sealing in a single position for registration of edge 13a with groove 16a, 17a, 13a and for registration of the edge 13 with groove 16, 17 and 18.

For this purpose, the cover member diametrically opposite the pitcher spout engaging groove portion l6a-17a-l8al9a at terminus 13d may be provided with a tab extension 2% from horizontal flange 19, said extension 2% as shown having a width adapted to overlie and register with the side edges of a somewhat curved top portion Illa of handle ll to serve as a centering means for the cover member to effect peripheral registration and engagement with the pitcher edge i3l5a. Flange 241* may be provided with means complementary with handle portion 11a such as opening 21 to engage a lug 22 extending from handle portion 11a for maintenance of removable engagement.

As shown in Figure 5 the cover member after tab it? has engaged lug 22 at opening 21 and after the side walls of tab 26 have been. aligned with the side edges of handle portion Ma is in proper registering position with the pitcher edge for closure thereover about the fulcrum point furnished by projection 22, the pitcher edge 13 portion adjacent handle 11 already being in engagement with a part of the cover groove edge as shown in Figure 5. Finger pressure is applied as by sliding one or more fingers along groove top wall 17 for completely sealing the pitcher edge 13l3a. It is to be observed that after full engagement between the cover and the pitcher as shown in Figure 1, tab 2% at the rear edge and as shown in Figure 5 projects above the top handle portion 111; by virtue of the slight curvature thereof, so that said tab can be disposed as shown adjacent the spout engaging groove- 16a, 17a, 18a. Thus, this feature provides the use of the pitcher for pouring purposes even when the cover and pitcher members are in engagement. In this fashion, the contents of the pitcher when once prepared with or without chilling means are not exposed to the atmosphere when required to be pouredout as would happen if the full cover member were completely removed. The opening the tubular spout 23 does not expose the contents to the same degree and thus contributes to more sanitary usage. The tubular spout 23 is also provided with a removable cover. As shown, the cover is in a form of a captive cap: removably and pivotally anchored to the cover wall as by a pair of spaced lugs 25. Any cap may be used, but as shown has atop wall 26 and an elevated peripheral and inverted groove engaging edge having an inner wall '27, a top wall 28 and an outer wall 29, the outer wall 29 having a peripheral flange 30 extending horizontally from the lower edge of outer wall 29. The flange 30 at diametric opposite sides is provided with a tab extension 3 1 and ahinge strap extension 32, the latter terminating at the lower end in a rounded rod formation projecting from the side edges and having a diameter inexcess of the thickness of extension 32. The rod formation 33 is adapted to pivot within aligned openings 34 in lugs 25, said openings 34 communicating with top notches 35-, the latter permitting lateral introduction of strap 32 but having. anarrower mouth than the diameter of rod 33. Thus strap 32 and rod 33 are introduced laterally through notches 35 and openings 34 respectively, notches 35 preventing vertical displacement of rod 33.

In Figure 3 a different type of strap 32a is shown having a rectangular cut-out 36 for making the strap more flexible.

Hermetical sealing between pitcher 10 and the main cover member resides in the fact that the overall dimensions of the inner side of wall 18 of the groove engaging edge of the cover is less than the overall dimension of the edge 1-3-1'3a or rim area of the pitcher whereby a live gripping action is effected. This is made possible where at least either the cover engaging groove or the pitcher edge rim is formed of a locally deformable material such as polyethylene or other substance having similar physical characteristics. The same situation ob tainsin connection with the engagement between the outer avail 29 of the cover cap and the tubular spout mem- It is distinctly understood that minor changes and-'variations in the manner of formation, size, material and integration and shape of parts may all be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope-of the appended claims.

Although tab 26 requires centering by alignment of the side edges with the side edges of handle portion 11a during rotation of cover 14 on pivot lug 22, it is understood that tab opening 21 may have an angular shape for keying with a corresponding shape of lug 22 for purposes of aligning cover 14 with the pitcher for sealing purposes.

I claim:

1. A combined pitcher and cover at least one of said members being formed of flexible and locally deformable plastic material and comprising a frusto-conical pitcher hollow body having an open top and closed bottom,

' aatop pouring. spout extension aligned with theupperrhu] forming part of said body, a removable integral cover having an engaging rim to frictionally and hermetically seal said open top and pouring spout portion, an extension tab having an opening on said rim and a handle on said hollow body, the latter having a stud engageable by said opening for guiding registration of the cover and effecting engagement thereof with the pitcher and for lifting the cover from the pitcher for removal when in engaging relationship, said pitcher being in the shape of an invertedfrustum of a cone.

2. A combined pitcher and cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cover has a vertically extending pouring spout disposed in that portion of the cover top Wall a1igning with the pouring spout in the rim of said body, whereby both spouts are in alignment and a removable closure therefor.

3. A combined pitcher and cover at least one of said members being formed of flexible and locally deformable plastic material and comprising an open top frusto conicafl pitcher body having a continuous side well, said side Wall having a pouring spout extension at the open top" and aligned and continuous with the edge thereof and a handle on said side wall, diametrically opposite to said spout, a removable. cover having a top Wall and a continuous side well formed with a spout closing and engaging portion respectively, an extension tab on the cover side wall having' an opening therein and a stud on the handle mer'nher engageable by said opening for guiding registration of the cover and eiiecting hermetical sealing engagement thereof with the pitcher and for lifting the cover from the pitcher for removal when in engaging relationship, said pitcher being in the shape of an inverted frus'tum of a cone.

4. A combined pitcher and cover as set forth in claim 3'- wherein said cover top wall has a vertically extending pouring spout disposed in that portion of the cover top Wall aligning with the pouring spout in the rim of said body, whereby both spouts are in alignment and a removable closure therefor.

5. A combined pitcher and cover at least one of said members being formed of flexible and locally deformable plastic material and comprising a pitcher having an open top, a closed bottom and a continuous side wall, said side wall having an upper peripheral rim provided with a rim spout extension in the same plane, a cover centering clement diametrically opposite to said rim spout portion and aifixed to and projecting from said side wall, a removable cover for said pitcher having a top wall and a continuous side wall provided with a side Wall ofiset' portion, said side wall and offset portion of the cover having the same shape and being in hermetical sealing engagement respectivelywith said peripheral rim and rim spout portion of the pitcher, a tab having an opening therein secured to and projecting from the cover side wall diametrically opposite the cover offset portion and in removable and pivotal engagement at said opening with said cover centering element for guiding registration and effecting engagement of the cover with the pitcher when the cover is applied'thereto and for lifting. the cover from the pitcher for removal when in engaging relationship.

6. A combined pitcher and cover as set forth in claim 5' wherein said cover top wall. has a vertically extending. pouring spout disposed in that portion of the cover.- top wall aligning with the pouring spout in the rimof said body, whereby both spouts are in alignment and a removable closure therefor.

7. A combined pitcher and cover at least one of said members being formed of flexible and locally deformableplastic material and comprising a frusto-conically' shaped pitcher body having an open top and a continuous side wallforming an open upper rim, said side wall having a pouring spout at the top and coextensive with and forming'p'art of said rim and a handle on said side'-wall',.diametrically opposite to said spout, aremovable cover hav'- ing a top wall and an elevated and inverted peripheral groove engaging edge for said rim and having an inner, top and spaced outer wall following the contour of the said open upper rim, the inner face of the outer wall of the groove engaging edge being of smaller lateral dimensions than the side wall upper rim for live and hermetical sealing engagement therebetween, a tab having an opening secured to the outer wall of the groove engaging edge adjacent the handle, a lug on the handle and to which the said tab at said opening is removably and pivotally secured, said tab and lug serving as centering means for guiding registration and effecting engagement of the cover with the pitcher when the cover is applied thereto and the tab also serving to lift the cover from the pitcher toward removal therefrom when in engaging relationship, said pitcher being in the shape of an inverted frustum of a cone.

8. A combined pitcher and cover as set forth in claim 7 wherein said cover top wall has a vertically extending pouring spout disposed in that portion of the cover top wall aligning with the pouring spout in the rim of said body, whereby both spouts are in alignment and a removable closure therefor.

9. A combined pitcher and cover at least one of said members being formed of flexible and locally deformable plastic material and comprising a pitcher hollow body of frusto-conical shape having an open top, a peripheral rim thereat and a closed bottom, said body having an offset portion to form a spout, the upper edge of said spout being continuous with and on the same plane as said peripheral rim, a removable cover having a rim in frictional engagement with and adapted to hermetical- 1y seal said peripheral rim and including the upper edge of said spout, a horizontally disposed tab extending 0E said rim and a stud secured to said hollow body for pivotal and removable engagement therebetween for guiding registration of the cover and effecting engagement thereof with the pitcher and for lifting the cover from the pitcher for removal when in engaging relationship, said pitcher being in the shape of an inverted frustum of a cone.

10. A combined pitcher and cover as set forth in claim 9 wherein said cover has a projecting pouring spout disposed in that portion of the cover top wall aligning with the pouring spout in the rim of said body, whereby both spouts are in alignment and a removable closure therefor.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 568,967 Wilson Oct. 6, 1896 1,029,629 Pleins June 18, 1912 1,149,445 Holmes Aug. 10, 1915 1,811,080 Gadke June 23, 1931 2,322,527 Leatherman June 22, 1943 2,704,100 Freeman Mar. 15, 1955 2,840,124 Greene June 24, 1958 2,842,167 Tupper July 8, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 546,956 Italy Aug. 3, 1956 1,036,861 France Apr. 29, 1953 

